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1-855-825-4022

Phone: (517) 456-4114

Toll Free Number

1-855-825-4022

Phone: (517) 456-4114

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Is Flatfoot Common in Adults?

Adult-acquired flatfoot (AAFD) is a common issue affecting several adults. Dr. David Levitsky of Clinton Foot & Ankle Clinic in Clinton, Jonesville, Saline, MI, will tell you that various factors, such as arthritis, injury, or disease, can cause this condition.

What is AAFD?

AAFD is an abnormal foot deformity that typically affects adults due to damage to a tendon at the back called the posterior tibial tendon.

This tendon runs from the calf muscle to the inside of your foot and, when damaged, can lead to painful fallen arches.

When a patient with this condition present to their physician, they typically experience pain along the back of their calf that has spread into both their inside foot and outside ankle. Swelling in both areas is also commonly observed.

X-rays can help identify and quantify a deformity. For example, Dr. Levitsky can take these images while your foot is holding your weight to check its alignment among its bones, such as the tibia (on the inside of the leg) and fibula (at the back). These x-rays can help to help diagnose flatfoot.

What Causes AAFD?

The most frequent cause of adult-onset fallen arches is damage to the posterior tibial tendon. This tendon originates at the calf muscle and runs down inside the lower leg before attaching itself to bones inside your foot.

When this tendon becomes damaged, it can lead to painful feet, which may eventually develop into arthritis in your joints and other health complications.

Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause a painful foot condition. This disease destroys cartilage in joints and irritates ligaments that support your foot.

If this occurs, the deformity will stiffen and become rigid. As a result, the patient will find walking difficult and experience intense pain in their flat foot.

AAFD can typically be treated non-operatively. This treatment includes supportive footwear such as walking boots and braces. However, surgery may be required if these measures don't solve the issue.

According to the stage of your disorder, various surgical procedures can be done.

Non-surgical treatments for early-stage AAFD include ligament and muscle lengthening, removal of the inflamed tendon lining, tendon transfers, and osteotomies (cutting or shortening bone to realign the foot). In addition, a single leg heel rise test and x-rays can be used to confirm if the posterior tibial tendon is intact.

Early pediatric evaluation and treatment mitigate AAFF.

Call Clinton Foot & Ankle Clinic at (517) 456-4114 to meet with Dr. Levitsky and get relief from adult flatfoot in Clinton, Jonesville, Saline, MI.

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Clinton Foot & Ankle Clinic, PC

Monday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Jonesville Location

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

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